The US is to step up its support for the Syrian opposition as it fights to topple President Bashar al-Assad, Secretary of State John Kerry says.
Mr Kerry said the US would provide direct support to rebel forces in the form of medical and food supplies.
He also promised an additional $60m (£40m) in aid to the opposition to help it deliver basic governance and other services in rebel-controlled areas.
Mr Kerry was speaking at a gathering of the Friends of Syria group in Rome.
'Out of time'The promise of direct, non-lethal aid to the rebels represents a shift in US policy on Syria, correspondents say.
However it falls short of providing the weapons and munitions that the rebels say they need to defeat government forces.
Mr Kerry said the decision was designed to increase the pressure on President Assad to step down and allow a democratic transition.
"The US decision to take further steps now is the result of the brutality of superior armed force propped up by foreign fighters from Iran and Hezbollah."
"President Assad is out of time and must be out of power," said Mr Kerry, adding that the Syrian leader could not "shoot his way out" of the situation.
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.
John Kerry: "This funding will allow the opposition... to be able to rebuild"
The $60m in aid to the opposition Syrian National Coalition (SNC) represents a doubling of US support.
It was intended to help the opposition deliver governance and basic services in rebel-controlled areas, said Mr Kerry.
"As the regime continues to lose ground it will help the opposition extend stability and build representative government and the rule of law," he added.
Mosque 'captured'In the latest fighting, rebel forces have captured the historic Umayyad Mosque in Aleppo, according to an activist group.
The mosque was damaged and its museum caught fire as rebels forced government troops to withdraw, UK-based activist group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Fighting also raged elsewhere in Aleppo's old city, including near the Palace of Justice, it added.
Aleppo - Syria's second city - has been a key battleground in the conflict,
John Kerry highlighted the fate of the city in his address, accusing President Assad of engaging in "ruthless attacks" with Scud missiles against rebel-held areas.
'New phase'Earlier, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said the Friends of Syria were determined to "ramp up" assistance to the opposition.
"We are entering a new phase in the response of western and Arab nations to the crisis in Syria," he said.
The main opposition Syrian National Coalition (SNC) had threatened to boycott the meeting in Rome in frustration at the "the world's silence" at the violence.
But SNC leader Moaz al-Khatib agreed to attend after the US and UK indicated there would be specific promises of aid.
According to UN estimates, more than 70,000 people have been killed in Syria since the revolt against President Assad began nearly two years ago.
Opposition fighters have been constantly outgunned as President Assad's forces deploy tanks, aircraft and missiles against them.
The US has already provided $384m in humanitarian assistance to victims of the conflict in Syria, as well as $54m in financial support to the SNC.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
US extends aid to Syrian rebels
Dengan url
http://ukberbaginfo.blogspot.com/2013/02/us-extends-aid-to-syrian-rebels.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
US extends aid to Syrian rebels
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
US extends aid to Syrian rebels
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar